Bits & Pieces
from your City Hall
July, 2009

STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Shawn Hamerlinck [12/31/10]  (563)-388-6338
 E-mail:  shawn.hamerlinck@legis.state.ia.us  
District #42

Steve Olson [12/31/08] (563)-659-9096
E-mail:  steven.olson@legis.state.ia.us
District #83

FEDERAL ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Senator Charles Grassley  [12/31/10] (563)-322-4331

Senator Tom Harkin [12/31/08] (563)-322-1338

Congressman Bruce Braley [12/31/08] (202)-225-2911  

 

SWIMMING POOL REQUIREMENTS

Swimming Pool “Enclosure” Requirements Changed - Before all of the neighborhood kids take that first “dip” in the old back yard pool this summer make sure that your pool is safe and that it meets the new requirements for fencing and enclosures that are now in effect.   The biggest change includes the need for enclosures that surround those very popular “temporary, inflatable” pools THAT ARE NOT CONTINUOUSLY MONITORED BY AN ADULT AND THAT ARE NOT DRAINED AND STORED ON A DAILY BASIS and UNCOVERED HOT TUBS AND SPAS.  Please call for a copy of the detailed ordinance if you have any questions at all.  The Police Department will be closely monitoring this matter as a significant public safety issue and will be stopping by and knocking on your door or calling you if they see any problems.  Thanks for your help and cooperation in protecting all the neighborhood kids!!

  

SEWER RATE INCREASE

Your monthly service charge for sewer will be increasing $.35/month. The new service charge rates for regular customers are $14.85/month for metered billing and flat rate is $54.00. Qualifying elderly rates are $12.55/month for metered billing and flat rate is $44.00. To qualify for the senior rate you must be 65 years of age, income for married couples of no more than $21,000; single $15,600, and no other people can be living in your household. The metered usage rate will increase from 1.25/500 gallons to $1.35/500 gallons. If you have any questions please give Jo a call at 289-4242 Ext. 1101.

                   

BUFFALO BILL MUSEUM

If the economy and gas prices have got you down, its time to stay in the Quad Cities and visit local attractions like the Buffalo Bill Museum.  The museum hours are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5:00 pm on Sunday.  Be sure to mark your calendar for the second annual BBM Golf Outing at Olathea Golf Course on Wednesday, June 24th for $50 per person. This was a great event last year and promises to be again this year. The entry fee includes a round of golf, a cart, dinner, prizes and fun for everyone. Call John Boesch at 563-332-0863 for reservations.  The museum always needs people to help out. If you have time to help, contact Mary at 289-4603 or Debbie at 289-4458.

                               

UTILITY BILLING-CONTACT INFORMATION

Anytime your mailing address or telephone number changes please don’t forget to notify us. You can either e-mail the information to jphares@leclaireiowa.gov or call (563) 289-4242 Extension 1101. Thank you for helping us keep our records up-to-date.

 

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

INFORMATION & CONTACT HELP LINE!!

(563)-289-4242 (Ext. 1502)

“BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION …

BY PREVENTING WATER POLLUTION!”

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

“EMERGENCY CONTACT”

 

We want to remind everyone that the City’s PWD can be reached 24/7/365 by dialing the City’s main phone # 289-4242 and pressing 3&6.  This will put you directly into the PWD emergency contact voice mail box where you can leave a message which will be automatically relayed to City personnel.

  

  TOURISM NEWS

We would like to thank all who helped to make the LeClaire 175th Birthday Celebration a huge success!  The Planning Committee members who gave of their time and expertise, and worked hard to make the 175th Birthday Celebration an event to remember.  We would like to sincerely thank all the volunteers who participated in the event(s) as well as the following businesses, individuals and organizations for their above and beyond support of the special celebration. This would not have happened without those who gave of their goods, services and monetary donations, including the American Legion, Artswork, Blackhawk Bank & Trust, Buffalo Bill Museum, City of LeClaire Public Works Garage, First Central State Bank, Girl Scouts, Grasshoppers, Happy Joe’s, Jackie Stepaniak, Kernel Cody’s Popcorn Shoppe, KWQC-TV Channel 6, LeClaire Antiques and Appraisals, LeClaire Chamber of Commerce, LeClaire Civic Club, LeClaire Community Library, LeClaire Fire Department, LeClaire Genealogy & Historical Society of LeClaire Township, LeClaire Lion’s Club, LeClaire Marketing Alliance, LeClaire Office of Tourism, LeClaire Police Department, Lydia’s, MEDIC E.M.S., Member’s Choice Credit Union, Mike Wolfe, Greg Pelo, Mary Anna Parris, Dan & Barb Fullmer, Pioneer Village, Razzleberries, River Pup and Sneaky Pete’s, and a  special thank you to the City of LeClaire, the LeClaire City Council, City Administrator Ed Choate and Mayor Robert Scannell for their support of LeClaire’s 175th Birthday Celebration.  Thank you, thank you, everyone!
 

FARMER’S MARKET VOUCHERS FOR SENIORS

As part of a national initiative, Generations Area Agency on Aging will begin distributing vouchers June 1 to low- and moderate-income seniors for use at local farmers markets.  To qualify, applicants must be age 60 or older on the application day and be a resident of Clinton, Scott and Muscatine counties.  Annual income requirements are $20,036 for a single person and $26,955 for a married couple. Both husbands and wives may receive checks. Recipients must sign a statement of eligibility that includes their name, address, phone number and the last four digits of their Social Security number.  Recipients are awarded 10 $3 checks valued at $30. The checks can be used at participating Farmer’s Market vendors through Oct. 31 for locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs.  Vouchers can be picked up at the GenAge Café on June 17^th from 11:30 to noon at the First Presbyterian Church, 200 South 12^th Street or vouchers can be picked up at the Generations’ office in Davenport from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more details call Generations at 563-324-9085 or toll free 800-892-9085. 

                               

LIBRARY NEWS

Library Story time is on a break but will resume on Tuesdays & Fridays at 10:30 starting June 16. With the end of the school year our Friday hours will be 10-2 starting June 5.  Storytime involves stories, songs, fingerplays and more!  Fun for children 2-5 and an adult. Groups are welcome.  Storytime is an important part of early childhood literacy.   We incorporate songs, stories, large and small motor development components into a fun 20 minutes that will help your child develop literacy skills and a love of books. And all for free. Includes juice and a snack.  For more information please contact the Library. The Library has a clipped-coupon cart so you can drop off or pick-up product and restaurant coupons. The coupons are even sorted by categories to assist your use!

  

CIVIC CLUB ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

The LeClaire Civic Club, a 501 C-4 Community Association of Volunteers, was organized in December of 1938.  This group, which consists of over 100 members, has a proud tradition of unselfish service to the city of LeClaire and the surrounding area for over 70 years.  Besides their volunteer activities, they also own, operate, and maintain the LeClaire Civic Center in downtown LeClaire.  The organization is presently conducting their Annual Membership Drive.   The City of LeClaire is the fastest growing area in Iowa and many folks that have recently moved here may be looking for a way to get involved in their new community.  The Civic Club may just be the answer.  They invite any citizen, of legal age, that lives within the city or the surrounding area, to become a member. The club is non-partisan and non-sectarian, and provides equal opportunities in all matters, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, natural origin, disability, veteran status, or political affiliation.  Their regular meetings are held at the Civic Center on the 4^th Tuesday of each month with a Pot Luck Dinner at 6:30 P.M. and the Business Meeting at 7:00 P.M.  The annual dues are only $5.00 a person.  If you have questions about this club and/or want to become a member, please contact Ron Leiby at 289-5259, Donna Walley at 289-3392, or Steve Noack at 289-3831.   

 

NOTICE: WEED ABATEMENT LAW

 As of April 1st the City begins to implement the weed abatement process. Notices are being published in this publication and in the Quad City Times advising the property owners of their duty and responsibility to keep their property, (and that area between the street driving surface and the property line) free of weeds and other plant growth.  THERE WILL BE NO OTHER NOTICES!! If a weed problem is found to exist the City will abate the problem and assess the costs accordingly to the property.  The charge for abating weed nuisances will be $75.00/hour for the first employee and $30.00/hour for each additional employee, or if a contractor is used, the charge will be the contracted amount plus 25%.  What constitutes a "weed nuisance"?  Following is the definition established by law:  In all areas of the City, any noxious weeds or vegetation, as defined by the Code of Iowa, are deemed to be nuisances, as well as any dense growth of weeds, vines, brush, or other similar vegetation which are reasonably believed to be constituting a public safety, health, or fire hazard.  In any developed area within the City or within one hundred feet (100') of any developed area within the City, any weeds, vegetation, vines, brush, or other growth which exceeds ten inches (10") in height shall be deemed a nuisance.  In all other areas of the City, any weeds, vegetation, vines, brush, or other growth which exceeds two feet (2') in height shall be deemed a nuisance.  Natural areas, including but not limited to waterways, or farmland may exceed these established height limitations.  Please review this material again and if you have any questions, call City Hall at any time.

 

NO GARBAGE DELAY

Just a reminder – there will not be any delay in the removal of the garbage by Allied Waste due to the July 4^th holiday.  The pickup schedule is normal.  This holiday does not affect your pickup.  Thank you.

  

CITY HALL INFORMATION

City Hall will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2009 in observance of Independence Day.  The next Bits & Pieces articles are due by Wednesday, July 15, 2009.  These can be sent electronically to wbloomingdale@leclaireiowa.gov, by fax to (563) 289-6010, by mail or hand delivery to 325 Wisconsin Street, from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday. 

 

CITY OF LECLAIRE UTILITY CHARGES

 

Metered Minimum (incl. first 500 gal.)

 

                        Sewer                   Garbage             

-Regular          $14.85                     $14.00

-Elderly*         $12.55                     $13.00

 

Usage Rate (per 500 gal.)

 -All users       $1.35      

 

Non-Metered, Flat (Sewer Only)

 

                      Sewer                                Garbage

 -Regular       $54.00           $14.00

 -Elderly*      $44.00           $13.00

 

DEPOSITS - RESIDENTIAL         AMOUNT

 

Sewer (meter)                                     $70.00

Sewer (meter)/Garbage                       $108.00   

 Sewer (flat)                                        $108.00

Sewer(flat)/Garbage                            $146.00

Garbage                                              $38.00

 

DEPOSITS-COMMERCIAL             AMOUNT

 

Sewer Only (meter)                             $70.00

 

MISCELLANEOUS FEES                      

 

NSF Check                                         $30.00

Lateral Locate                                    $21.40

 

SEWER HOOK-UPS

Residential - New                              $428.00

                  - Re-Hook                       $214.00

Commercial/Industrial

         - New $.03/ft. not less than      $428.00

       - Re-Hook                                $214.00

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